Information For Missouri Health Professionals

Experts believe West Nile virus (WNV) is now an established seasonal epidemic in North America. In Missouri, human WNV cases generally occur in late summer and early fall. Rapid identification and reporting of active human West Nile virus infections provides state and local public health agencies with timely information on the location and prevalence of the virus.

Diagnostic Testing
Free WNV diagnostic testing for patients with encephalitis, meningitis, uncomplicated fever, or other illness with central nervous system involvement can be obtained through the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL) in Jefferson City (phone 573/751-3334 or 751-0633). Specimen shipment instructions and the Virus Serology Test Request form can be downloaded from the SPHL website.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has built a WNV surveillance system that includes mosquito trapping, testing dead birds for infection, and assessing human case activity. Tracking the virus’ activity in birds and mosquitoes gives communities a "heads-up" that people are at greater risk of becoming ill with these infections. The WNV Data & Statistical Reports page is updated weekly from April through October.